Strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawEightySeven’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawEightySeven’, particularly selected for its earliness of production, as well as the shape, appearance, flavor, and shelf life of its fruit, is disclosed.

Botanical classification: Fragaria x ananassa.

Varietal denomination: The varietal denomination of the claimed variety of strawberry plant is ‘DrisStrawEightySeven’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cultivated strawberry is a hybrid species of the genus Fragaria that is grown worldwide for its fruit. Modern strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 18^(th) century by crossing Fragaria virginiana with Fragaria chiloensis. Strawberry fruit is an aggregate accessory fruit, with the fleshy part of the fruit being derived from the receptacle that holds the ovaries.

Strawberry varieties vary widely in color, size, shape, flavor, season of ripening, degree of fertility, and susceptibility to disease. Certain varieties vary in foliage, and some vary in the relative development of their reproductive organs. Typically, strawberry flowers appear hermaphroditic in structure, but function as either male or female. Generally, commercial production of strawberry plants involves propagation from runners and distribution as either plugs or bare root plants. Cultivation is either perennial or annual plasticulture. During the off season, strawberries can also be produced in greenhouses.

Strawberry fruit is widely appreciated for its characteristic bright red color, aroma, juicy texture, and sweetness. Strawberry fruit is a popular fruit that is generally consumed either fresh or in prepared foods, such as preserves and baked goods.

Strawberry is an important and valuable fruit crop. Accordingly, there is a need for new varieties of strawberry plants. In particular, there is a need for improved varieties of strawberry plant that are stable, high yielding, and agronomically sound.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to meet these needs, the present invention is directed to an improved variety of strawberry plant. In particular, the invention relates to a new and distinct variety of strawberry plant (Fragaria x ananassa), which has been denominated as ‘DrisStrawEightySeven’.

Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawEightySeven’ originated from a controlled cross between the female parent ‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,730) and the proprietary male parent ‘45AB129’ (unpatented). Progeny plants from this cross, including ‘DrisStrawEightySeven’, were asexually propagated via stolons in Shasta County, Calif. in May of 2015. Strawberry plant variety ‘DrisStrawEightySeven’ was later specifically identified and selected in Hillsborough County, Fla. in January of 2016.

‘DrisStrawEightySeven’ was subsequently asexually propagated via stolons, and has undergone testing at test plots in Hillsborough County, Fla. for six years (2015 to 2021). The present variety has been found to be stable and reproduce true to type through successive asexual propagations via stolons and tissue culture.

‘DrisStrawEightySeven’ was particularly selected for its earliness of production, as well as the shape, appearance, flavor, and shelf life of its fruit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new strawberry plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Unless otherwise indicated, the photographs are of plants that are four months old.

FIG. 1 illustrates whole fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawEightySeven’.

FIG. 2 illustrates longitudinal sections of fruit of variety ‘DrisStrawEightySeven’.

FIG. 3 illustrates the upper surface (top row) and lower surface (bottom row) of flowers of variety ‘DrisStrawEightySeven’.

FIG. 4 illustrates the lower surface (top) and upper surface (bottom) of leaves of variety ‘DrisStrawEightySeven’.

FIG. 5 illustrates whole plants of variety ‘DrisStrawEightySeven’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed descriptions set forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘DrisStrawEightySeven’. The data which define these characteristics is based on observations taken in Hillsborough County, Fla. from 2015 to 2021. This description is in accordance with UPOV terminology. Color designations, color descriptions, and other phenotypical descriptions may deviate from the stated values and descriptions depending upon variation in environmental, seasonal, climatic, and cultural conditions. ‘DrisStrawEightySeven’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The botanical description of ‘DrisStrawEightySeven’ was taken from plants that were four months old. The indicated values represent averages calculated from measurements of several plants. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2015 edition). Descriptive terminology follows the Plant Identification Terminology, An Illustrated Glossary, 2^(nd) edition by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris, unless where otherwise defined.

-   Classification:     -   -   Species.—Fragaria x ananassa.         -   Common name.—Strawberry.         -   Denomination.—‘DrisStrawEightySeven’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.             29,730).         -   Male parent.—Proprietary strawberry plant ‘45AB129’             (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Height.—18.4 cm.         -   Diameter.—31.8 cm.         -   Height/width ratio.—0.58.         -   Number of crowns per plant.—1.4.         -   Growth habit.—Semi-upright.         -   Density of foliage.—Sparse.         -   Vigor.—Medium. -   Stolon:     -   -   Number of daughter plants per square foot.—26.         -   Diameter at bract.—3.0 mm.         -   Color.—RHS 144B (Strong yellowish green).         -   Anthocyanin coloration.—Medium.         -   Anthocyanin color.—RHS 37B (Strong yellowish pink).         -   Density of pubescence.—Medium. -   Fruiting truss:     -   -   Length from crown to base of terminal flower or fruit.—20.2             cm.         -   Diameter at base of truss.—0.56 cm.         -   Number of berries per fruiting truss.—4.2.         -   Attitude at first picking.—Prostrate.         -   Color at base of truss.—RHS 145B (Light yellowish green). -   Leaf:     -   -   Number of leaflets.—Three only.         -   Color of leaf upper surface.—RHS 137A (Moderate olive             green).         -   Color of leaf lower surface.—RHS 145B (Light yellowish             green).         -   Blistering.—Medium.         -   Glossiness.—Medium.         -   Variegation.—Absent.         -   Terminal leaflet.—Length: 9.5 cm. Width: 9.2 cm.             Length/width ratio: 1.03. Number of teeth per terminal             leaflet: 22.7. Shape: Obicular. Shape of base: Obtuse. Shape             of apex: Rounded. Margin: Serrate to crenate. Margin             profile: Flat (level with the leaflet blade). Shape in cross             section: Concave.         -   Petiole.—Length: 158 mm. Diameter: 3.8 mm. Color: RHS 145B             (Light yellowish green). Pubescence: Dense. Attitude of             hairs: Horizontal. Bract frequency (number present on each             petiole): 0.         -   Petiolule.—Length: 10.8 mm. Diameter: 1.93 mm. Color: RHS             145B (Light yellowish green).         -   Stipule.—Length: 44.5 mm. Width: 8.6 mm. Pubescence: Medium.             Color: RHS 150D (Light yellowish green). Anthocyanin             coloration: Weak. Anthocyanin color: RHS 145A (Strong             yellowish green). -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Number of flowers per plant.—3.9.         -   Position of inflorescence in relation to foliage.—Same             level.         -   Pedicel.—Attitude of hairs: Upwards.         -   Flower.—Flower diameter (petal tip to petal tip on             non-flattened flower): 34.7 mm. Arrangement of petals:             Overlapping. Size of calyx in relation to corolla: Larger.             Diameter of inner calyx relative to outer: Same size.             Receptacle color: RHS 145B (Light yellowish green). Stamen:             Present.         -   Petal.—Length: 14.8 mm. Width: 15.6 mm. Length/width ratio:             0.95. Number of petals per flower: 6.7. Color of upper side:             RHS 155C (Greenish White). Color of lower side: RHS 155C             (Greenish White). Shape: Obicular. Shape of apex: Rounded.             Shape of base: Convex. Margin: Entire.         -   Calyx.—Diameter (sepal tip to sepal tip, measured on back of             flower): 65.0 mm.         -   Sepal.—Length: 28.6 mm. Width: 10.6 mm. Number of sepals per             flower: 13.4. Shape: Elliptical. Shape of apex: Truncate.             Margin: Serrate.         -   Anther.—Color: RHS 154A (Vivid yellowish green).         -   Flowering.—Flowering interval: Late October to March. -   Fruit:     -   -   Fruit size.—Length: 53.2 mm. Width: 38.7 mm. Length/width             ratio: 1.37.         -   Fruit hollow.—Length: 27.8 mm. Width: 8.7 mm. Length/width             ratio: 3.19.         -   Shape.—Ovoid to cylindrical.         -   Difference in shape of terminal and other fruits.—None or             very slight.         -   Fruit color.—RHS 43A (Deep red).         -   Evenness of color.—Slightly uneven.         -   Glossiness.—Medium.         -   Evenness of surface.—Even or very slightly uneven.         -   Width of band without achenes.—Narrow.         -   Position of achenes.—Below surface.         -   Achenes.—Number of achenes per fruit: 622. Weight: 0.0004119             g/achene. Color (sunward side of berry): RHS 178B (Dark             reddish orange). Color (shaded side of berry): RHS 151C             (Strong greenish yellow).         -   Position of calyx attachment.—Raised.         -   Attitude of sepals.—Downwards.         -   Diameter of calyx in relation to diameter of fruit.—Much             larger.         -   Adherence of calyx.—Very strong.         -   Firmness.—Firm.         -   Color of flesh (excluding core).—RHS 31B (Strong reddish             orange).         -   Evenness of color of the flesh.—Slightly uneven.         -   Distribution of flesh color.—Marginal and central.         -   Color of core.—RHS 27A (Light yellowish pink).         -   Weight.—26.8 g.         -   Soluble solids (in ° brix).—7.6.         -   Titratable acidity (as % citric acid).—2.5.         -   Fruiting.—Harvest interval: Mid-November to March. Type of             bearing: Partially remontant. Productivity: 0.528 kg to             0.741 kg of fruit per plant per season from seven-month-old             plants when grown in Dover, Fla.         -   Storage characteristics (post-harvest             characteristics).—Following harvest, fruit maintains its             glossy appearance with minimal loss of fruit quality when             stored for 7 days under refrigerated conditions that are             standard for strawberry storage. -   Resistance to abiotic stress, pests, and diseases:     -   -   Heat.—Moderately resistant.         -   Rain damage.—Resistant.         -   Two-spotted spider mite (tetranychus urticae).—Moderately             susceptible.         -   Botrytis fruit rot (botrytis cinerea).—Moderately             susceptible.         -   Powdery mildew (podosphaera macularis).—Moderately             susceptible.         -   Anthracnose fruit rot (colletotrichum             acutatum).—Susceptible.         -   Anthracnose crown rot (colletotrichum             gloeosporioides).—Moderately susceptible.         -   Charcoal rot (macrophomina phaseolina).—Moderately             susceptible.         -   Angular leaf spot (xanthomonas fragariae).—Susceptible.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL AND REFERENCE VARIETIES

‘DrisStrawEightySeven’ differs from the female parent ‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,730) in that ‘DrisStrawEightySeven’ is resistant to rain damage, whereas ‘DrisStrawFiftyOne’ is very susceptible to rain damage.

‘DrisStrawEightySeven’ differs from the male parent proprietary strawberry plant ‘45AB129’ (unpatented) in that ‘DrisStrawEightySeven’ does not produce creased fruit and all fruit has singular tips, whereas ‘45AB129’ produces some fruit that is creased and some fruit that has double tips.

‘DrisStrawEightySeven’ differs from the reference variety ‘DrisStrawTwentyFour’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,378) in that ‘DrisStrawEightySeven’ has a semi-upright growth habit, a convex petal shape of base, a narrow width of band without achenes on fruit, and a below surface position of achenes on fruit, whereas ‘DrisStrawTwentyFour’ has a spreading growth habit, a concavo-convex petal shape of base, a broad width of band without achenes on fruit, and an above surface position of achenes on fruit.

‘DrisStrawEightySeven’ differs from the reference variety ‘DrisStrawFortyNine’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,682), in that ‘DrisStrawEightySeven’ has medium stolon density of pubescence, a convex petal shape of base, an elliptical sepal shape, and a raised position of calyx attachment on fruit, whereas ‘DrisStrawFortyNine’ has absent or very sparse stolon density of pubescence, a concavo-convex petal shape of base, an oblong sepal shape, and an inserted position of calyx attachment on fruit. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of strawberry plant named ‘DrisStrawEightySeven’ as shown and described herein. 